Trung Kiên faces Van Toan in the 'reverse final' of V-League

The clash between HAGL and SHB Da Nang is not only a pivotal match in the relegation race of V-League 2025/26. At Chi Lang Stadium, the focus is also on the interesting competition between two generations of accomplished goalkeepers for the Vietnam U23 team: Van Toan and Trung Kiên.

In the lower half of the standings V-Leaguethis season, the narrow point gap makes every match feel like an "early final." But among them, the encounter between HAGL and SHB Da Nang still holds special significance.

After 15 rounds, HAGL is ranked 11th with 14 points. Right behind them is Thanh Hoa with 13 points, whileSHB Da Nangis placed 13th with 11 points but still has one match pending.

The bottom team, PVF CAND, also has 11 points but with a worse goal difference. Meanwhile, Becamex TP.HCM stands 10th with 15 points.

Just a few points create a relegation vortex where any team could sink to the bottom after just one round.

In this context, the match where SHB Da Nang hosts SHB Da Nang becomes the focal point of the round, not only due to their standings but also because of the interesting story involving the goalkeepers of both teams.

On one side is young goalkeeper Trung Kiên, currently regarded as the top choice for the Vietnam U23 team under coach Kim Sang Sik. On the other side is Van Toan, who shone in the Vietnam U23 generation under coach Park Hang Seo and has just returned to V-League. Two goalkeepers, two generations, meet at the most sensitive moment of the season.

In the first leg match at Pleiku Stadium, Trung Kiên played a key role in helping HAGL secure a minimal victory over SHB Da Nang. At that time, the Da Nang team did not have Van Toan, and that loss kept Coach Le Duc Tuan's squad deep at the bottom, trailing HAGL by 4 points.

In that match, Trung Kiên repeatedly neutralized dangerous attacks and even contributed to creating the only goal of the game for his team.

But things haven't been smooth for this 1.9m-tall goalkeeper. Currently, HAGL is stumbling with two consecutive losses, even though Trung Kiên has performed well. Meanwhile, SHB Da Nang shows strong signs of revival.

The Da Nang team earned 4 points in their last two matches, notably a 1-1 draw against Ninh Binh away. This result strongly reflects the impact ofVan Toan.

Just days after leaving Hai Phong to join SHB Da Nang on loan, Van Toan made an almost perfect debut. In the match against Ninh Binh, the 1999-born goalkeeper repeatedly made stunning saves that even surprised Coach Vu Tien Thanh of Ninh Binh.

It's not exaggerated to say that SHB Da Nang is rediscovering their familiar pillar in the relegation battle: the goalkeeper. Last season, this team flourished during the decisive phase thanks to Bui Tien Dung's performance. This season, that role could belong to Van Toan.

The presence of the goalkeeper who once wore the Vietnam U23 jersey brings stability to the defense. Therefore, when SHB Da Nang hosts HAGL at Chi Lang Stadium, the duel between Trung Kiên and Van Toan becomes an interesting highlight.

One is the future of the Vietnam U23 team's goalkeeper, the other is an experienced senior making a strong comeback. In a match where every mistake could push a team deeper into the relegation vortex, the role of these two goalkeepers becomes even more crucial.

And perhaps, in such a "reverse final," the decisive factor might not be the forwards.